Character Interviews: Chancellor Trelango

Our series of interviews with characters from The Deliverers 2: Order of the Crystal Lion continues this week. Today, we'll be hearing from the villain of the book, Chancellor Trelango. He's the guy that likes to take simple, down to earth people and add some animal genes to turn them into genetically altered warriors or servants. Let's see what he's got to say for himself.

Greg:  Welcome, Chancellor Trelango. Thanks for stepping out of The Deliverers 2 to spend some time with us.

Trelango:  Not at all. Always nice to speak with a member of the press.

Greg:  Is it true that you and your family have been altering the genetic makeup of some of your citizens against their will for generations?

Trelango:  Oh come now, you make it sound so terrible. Against their will? My family has always ruled the Vynistri with a loving heart. Many of them are eager to undergo this treatment to make themselves unique and yes, powerful. When I add lion DNA to them, they become the mighty Chazum, part man, part lion. Those that serve well and faithfully are amply compensated.

Greg:  But what about those who do not survive the transformation process?

Trelango:  I like to think of it as natural selection. he unfortunates who do not survive were simply not strong enough, not worthy to become Chazum.

Greg:  You can call it what you like, but I call it murder. Only one in three who undergo the process survive.

Trelango:  You are not from my world, so you could not possibly understand. You're just like that ragged bunch of outlanders--Eric and Kate and the rest. They did not understand, either. they were most troublesome. 

Greg:  You mean the Deliverers. So, you met them, did you?

Trelango:  Yes, I met them soon after they arrived on my world. It was not a pleasant meeting, I'm afraid. They took the same narrow-minded view as yourself. Most disappointing. I was particularly interested in the, um, what do you call it, the dwarf. An amazing genetic makeup--short, but very tough and powerful. He would have made an excellent miner if things had worked out as they should. 

Greg:  Things did not go according to plan?

Trelango:  I've learned over the years that things rarely do. Still, I usually manage to rise above disappointments. This time that proved most difficult. Eric and his friends are very stubborn and too trusting of those who claim to be above such things as genetic mutation.

Greg:  You mean they managed to stop you?

Trelango:  I'd really rather not talk about it. Let's just say they were a challenge and leave it at that.

Greg:  Fair enough. So your family has ruled Vynistra City for a long time?

Trelango:  Centuries, actually.

Greg:  When did you start fiddling with genes?

Trelango:  Two hundred years ago, my ancestors developed something called the Machine which could be used to combine animal and human DNA. It was most useful in creating laborers, soldiers, spies. Since then our society has thrived. 

Now, many of the Chazum and even some Vynistri are resisting us. They are being led by my twin brother, Selango, who is under the delusion that he is the Crystal Lion--the one who is destined to lead the Chazum to freedom.  

Greg:  Well, that seems promising. I can't wait to find out what happens.

Trelango:  Yes, well I would not get your hopes up too much. They don't have much of a chance, even with Eric and those so called Deliverers and that group of renegades, the Order of the Crystal Lion. If they think they'll get the best of me, they have another thing coming.

Greg:  Well, we'll see how things turn out. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us.